I applaud the reposting of this exhibit and the BYU administration. Just because
we LDS have some controversial moral stances doesn't mean we can't be accepting
and examine ourselves and our reactions. Gay members of the church are a fact of
life - we should not shy away from it nor should we shun them or condemn. I lost
a lot of faith in BYU, not the church mind you, when I was there but this
restores much of my good will towards the school. Brave steps and big hearts for
BYU.

"What are you talking about?! BYU never used shock aversion therapy. Check your
facts before you post."

I don't think BYU has ever denied
using shock therapy and I have heard too many first hand stories from gays who
were subjects to question it.

What makes you think they did not try
this? It makes sense. If, in the 1970's, the church believed it was a learned
response, it could be unlearned. Thus, reparative, shock therapy. They do not
do it any longer as it did not work.

Thanks I.D. 8:52. I was not sure. I imiagine that the students pictured in the
display are those with same-sex attraction who have chosen to follow the honor
code. They have proven that we can all choose our actions, in spite of our
attractions and propensities. The display can be taken as a pro-responsible
choices in spite of adversities declaration. Am I correct?

>>So, if one proclaims to be gay
yet he refrains from the act is he still gay? >If you were a straight student at
BYU, or just following the church's admonition not to have sex before marriage,
does that make you asexual rather than heterosexual? >You don't have to be
actively having sex to be gay.<<

Cats: Some of your remarks can't go unanswered. I'm sure that as a woman you do
things every day that would get you stoned to death in many countries.

You imply that the opposite of tolerance is execution or imprisonment. What an
attitude! Also the bible says lots of things that rational people don't believe
or act on. I think America is the wrong place for you. You belong in Saudi
Arabia.

It seems that few get the point of the exhibit. We have met the enemy and he is
us. Same gender attraction is a normal part of the "Mormon Lifestyle". THEY are
among us, our sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, fathers, mothers. Until we
accept the fact that someone like the apostle Paul could have a same gender
attraction and still be a man of God we will make no headway.

"Why the church is has [sic] to continually answer this question is
beyond me."

The reason why the church is, and will continue to be,
harangued about homosexuality is due to their refusal to address it.

LDS doctrine requires Temple matrimonial ordinances in order to ascend to the
highest level of Celestial life. Since gays cannot marry each other, they must
either forfeit their eternal reward, or conceal their proclivities and feign
affections for their partner. This certainly would not be fair to the hetero
spouse; this marriage would most likely be doomed.

Homosexuality is
NOT a choice. The "choice" is whether or not to ACT on those innervations.
Gays can be no more impressionable to alter their innate orientations than we.
I am a hetero male, but I never chose to be hetero, nor did I choose to be male.
It just worked out that way for me.

Since LDS church Presidents and
General Authorities are so divinely inspired, it stands to reason that something
that could bar one of God's children from achieving such Celestial happiness and
everlasting joy would be something of a concern to them. Why, after 178 yrs,
has the church not addressed it?

Wow. As I've been reading these comments, most of them just sound so hateful,
mean-spirited, and contentious. Is this how Mormons talk? If so then I suddenly
feel less sorry about all the recent attacks on your church- you guys are no
better than the people making the attacks. You get what you give.

I applaud BYU's decision to put the display back up. There is a
huuuuuuuuuuuuuge difference between homosexual attraction and homosexual
behavior/activity. As the article says, those who are experience homosexual
attractions are more than welcome at BYU; only when those attractions end up in
behavior do these people violate the Honor Code. Also, there is nothing sinful
at all about being attracted to someone of the same gender. I understand
completely those who would argue that putting someone's struggles and
temptations on display is something that is unnecessary, but art is never about
what is or is not necessary. It is often about a message. Any piece of art
that helps those with same gender attraction know that they are accepted at BYU
and that helps people understand that it is alright to be attracted to members
of the same gender, but not to act on those attractions is praiseworthy in my
eyes. Here's to hoping there are future opportunities for BYU to stand up for
its true viewpoints again in the future.

I agree, BYU is splitting hairs here. This is an area where hairs need to be
split. So many people attach to their intolerance of homosexual behavior (which
I share) an intolerance to anyone with homosexual attractions. If this project
can send the message to people that you can struggle with same gender attraction
and still be acceptable at BYU and still be "worthy" in the eyes of God,
fantastic!!!

Same Gender Attraction is not a sin!! I understand that
people might be uncomfortable discussing the issue and that it is not necessary
for people to where their sexuality on their sleeve; but, I don't see this
display as an advocacy for homosexual behavior. It is a recognition that there
is an entire class of people at BYU (and in the LDS church) that struggle with
major trials in their lives. Despite these trials, they chose to live a chaste
life. If that is not the best message that can be sent to those who advocate
gay marriage and homosexual lifestyles, I don't know what is!

As an active LDS person who lives with same gender attraction, recently attended
BYU, and chooses to live a chaste life, I can tell you that homosexual
attractions are not a choice. I don't know whether the source of such
attractions are biological or environmental, and I honestly don't really care (I
happen to believe it is a little bit of both). I strongly believe that what the
Church teaches about homosexuality is 100% correct; the problem is that most
people have no clue what the LDS church actually teaches about homosexuality (at
least they don't act like they believe it). Go and read what President Hinckley
has said on the matter; read the interview given by Elder Oaks and Elder
Wickman. On the churches newsroom site, there are several videos and articles
explaining their position. I am not suggesting that homosexual attraction is
something that should be celebrated and broadcast to the world, but if this art
display can cause people (lds or not) to really find out what the church's
position on homosexuality is and to be a little more tolerant themselves, then
it will be a huge success.

Hugh Nibley's daughter, Martha Beck accused him of molesting her, which all her
siblings vehemently denied.

Many gays feel they were born gay, are
not aware of having made a choice to be gay. There are many who talk about
feeling gay at a very early age--7 years old for example. Additionally, there
are many gays who have spent their entire lives trying to deny their gayness,
trying to avoid feeling gay, praying and fasting mightily to be cured of
gayness, yet not being able to escape. We have a long way to go in this church
in our level of knowledge and understanding about what it is like to be gay.